Japan's population logs record dropTokyo (AFP) Jan 1, 2013
Japan's population logged a record drop in 2012, health ministry estimates showed Tuesday, highlighting concerns that an ever-dwindling pool of workers is having to pay for a growing number of pensioners.
A record low 1,033,000 babies were born last year, against 1,245,000 deaths, resulting in a net drop of 212,000 in the nation's population of about 126 million, according to figures from the ministry.
The decline is sharper than in 2011 when the annual decline topped 200,000 for the first time ... read more

Thousands march against Hong Kong leader Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong on Tuesday, calling for the city's embattled leader to quit and demanding greater democracy 15 years after it returned to Chinese rule. ... more

Galapagos pink iguana captured on film Veteran British nature broadcaster David Attenborough is to show the first filmed sighting of the rare pink iguana, in a television series on the Galapagos Islands which begins Tuesday. ... more

Cave dwelling nettle discovered in ChinaSouth West China, Myanmar and Northern Vietnam contain one of the oldest exposed outcrops of limestone in the world. Within this area are thousands of caves and gorges. It is only recently that bota ... more

What's in a name? Everything for Farmers Have you ever sat down for a delicious dish of grilled Patagonian toothfish at your local seafood restaurant? You almost certainly have; you just didn't know it. Which brings us to the point of this article - it's all about the name. ... more

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